We’ve come a long way since the early days of transportation and international travel, when going from point A to point B was not only a complicated endeavour but also a risky adventure. Travelling abroad is no longer the preserve of the rich and privileged, or the enterprise of daring global explorers. These days, reaching faraway destinations and discovering new places is accessible to people from all walks of life.
With technological advancements, cheaper flights and plenty of travel inspiration on social media, travelling has become a mainstream leisure activity, especially for younger generations. Statistics also clearly indicate that tourism has increased considerably over the years, with the number of international travels more than doubling since 2000.
But despite all the travelling facilities and opportunities that lay the world at our feet, some people still don’t see the appeal in stepping out of their comfort zone and wondering about the world. Exploring new cities and countries is not just about experiencing a change of scenery and posting a few pictures on Instagram. It’s certainly not a whim or a trend that you need to join so you can fall in line with the rest of the world.
There are plenty of benefits that travelling can provide, so if you’re not yet convinced of its utility and necessity, we’ll give you a few reasons that will persuade you to pack your bags, grab an international sim card, and go on a vacation abroad, at least once a year.
It opens your mind and broadens your perspective of the world
Once you muster up the courage to get out of the bubble in which you’ve lived your entire life, you’ll come to realise there’s an entire world out there that you didn’t know existed. Or maybe you knew from books, movies, or social media, but learning about something or contemplating it from afar doesn’t compare to experiencing it in person.
Travelling beyond the borders of your country exposes you to all sorts of cultures, customs, traditions and ways of life and you become more aware of differences, similarities and how values and perceptions change from place to place.
Even a short trip to a different location on the map will give you the chance to discover all sorts of interesting things that you weren’t aware of and find out how people in other places live their lives. These experiences will help you gain a better understanding of the world and teach you to embrace cultural diversity.
It provides a much-needed break
Even if you don’t hate your job or your family and you’re perfectly content with your life back home, a quick escape from your routine and the people and places that surround you every day still wouldn’t hurt. Sometimes people get so caught up in their daily activities and responsibilities, especially when they’re passionate about what they do, that they forget they also need to take a break from time to time so they can function like normal human beings.
Going on a trip abroad gives you the chance to prioritise your needs and focus on your mental and physical well-being for a change. This is all the more important if you have a highly demanding and stressful job. So, if you want to prevent burnout, carve out some time in your busy schedule and plan a trip somewhere, so you can relax and unwind and go back home with a fresh perspective and a clear mind.
It builds character
As wonderful as travelling might be, it’s not without its challenges. This shouldn’t scare you or discourage you from taking the leap and going out in the world. On the contrary, it should motivate you to leave your comfort zone behind and push your boundaries. Apart from sharpening your planning skills by making travel and accommodation arrangements and creating trip itineraries, abroad journeys will also have you facing all sorts of situations that will challenge you and make you discover how resourceful you are.
You’ll have to adapt to new and unfamiliar circumstances, make decisions on your own, become more independent and develop interpersonal skills. Also, you’ll get the chance to learn plenty of valuable things while you’re out and about like how to use an eSIM, how to pack light so you can move around with ease, or how to react in critical situations. And most importantly, you get to learn from your own mistakes which are usually the best teacher in the world.
It helps you make new friends
If you have a hard time making friends, travelling might be a great solution to finally come out of your shell and start interacting more with people. You have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and create meaningful connections even if only for the duration of your journey. You might find it difficult to make friends with strangers when you’re travelling at first, but as they say, practice makes perfect. Chances are you’ll meet some pretty interesting characters along the way.
You’ll also get to spend quality time with your travel companions and build lifelong friendships that start with one trip abroad. Your travel experiences will give you an excellent opportunity to bond and create beautiful memories together that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Wrapping up
Travelling is a gift that keeps on giving. The more you travel, the more you realise how amazing it is to invest in experiences instead of material things. This doesn’t mean you have to turn into a modern nomad and live your life travelling from place to place to enjoy all the benefits listed above. But planning a trip every once in a while is definitely a good thing for your body, mind and soul.
